COLA’s recommendations to end Belize/Guatemala differendum

Earlier in the week, COLA launched its position paper rejecting the referendum and the ICJ. In that paper, COLA outlined several recommendations that it believes will put an end to the dispute. One controversial recommendation includes withdrawing from the Organization of American States.

Giovanni Brackett, President, COLA

Giovanni Brackett

“The reason why we put this paper together is to raise the standard that COLA goes by. You can call us the Greenpeace of Belize and I believe that COLA is the strongest grassroots organization within the country. And so what we did was put together this paper so that people can actually read what we are saying. We believe that one, Belize should withdraw itself from the OAS because so far we have seen that the OAS in our opinion done enough to bring this matter to a closure. We believe that the OAS has been bias with its past inaccurate statements. We think that unless they show us that they are serious in solving this issue within Belize and Guatemala, we should withdraw ourselves and we should stick with the backing of CARICOM. Secondly, we believe that we should call on the United Nations to reinstate and reemphasize its 1980 resolution and affirm our sovereignty and call on Guatemala to cease and desist on its unfounded claim. No one else in the region has a problem with us; except Guatemala and it is unfounded. And with the incursions, we should work with NGO groups to work alongside on the border to keep a presence and we should increase B.D.F. presence upon our border. And we also call on the government to within their diplomatic conversation to do a better job to advance Belize’s agenda; to advance Belize’s cause—both regionally and internationally.”

COLA’s position paper will be available in a PDF format and linked to the News Five website.

Viewers please note: This Internet newscast is a verbatim transcript of our evening television newscast. Where speakers use Kriol, we attempt to faithfully reproduce the quotes using a standard spelling system.

8 Responses for “COLA’s recommendations to end Belize/Guatemala differendum”

I will be following up with this. I do believe that we require more armed forces at the Belize – Guatemala Border. I think that Belize should step up and say that it will no give up anything to Guatemala. We are an independent country yes and yes we have a treaty that is causing this whole issue. Thanks Queen for this headache

The silliness of Brackett!! On the one hand he advocates Belize ‘s independence which is great; but on the other hand and in the same breath he surrenders it to CARICOM. Tell us Brackett, you son of a swine and a vermin, why you prefer slavery and dominance by the Caribbean . I think you suffer from the same black RACIST views and sentiments as the leprous PM Barrow. So that is the black Belizean plan – to make Belize a black ruled state in perpetuity. The next government must reject Guatemala and CARICOM and reassert Belize ‘s independence and abrogate all those insane and uneconomic agreements with CARICOM. You look foolish Brackett. Research a paper instead on the economic instability and disequilibrium CARICOM is causing our Belize economy. Stop using Guatemala as the bogeyman to scare Belizeans. The real threat to Belize comes internally from people like you and PM Barrow. Belize has become so black racist under Barrow and under Geovanni Brackett!! Ha, ha,ha .

all what the chapines wants is to get access to the monkey river mouth where the oil is like black gold. But I rather die fighting for my Jewel and never give them an inch of our Jewel. If I have to join the army to patrol my Jewel’s border I would willingly do it. I totally don’t trust the OAS.

Mr. Brackett has valid points, as citizens “Patriotic” to the Jewel, those who know better, will stand with COLA. We should give thanks to the British Crown for who we are today. I know it takes “true Patriotism.”
(patriotism) love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it “Belize nationalism enjoy it.

People power is people power….. black, Latino, whoever, Belize is Belize. COLA stands with the people against anyone who’s trying to screw our nation for a quick fix…..

Until u see what COLA’s about…. SHUT THE HELL UP and mind your concern!!!!!

COLA under the leadership of Mr. Brackett has gone from been a noise maker to an organization of sound discussion with meaningful action. if were not for COLA the OAS inaccurate statement that was printed twice would still be out there – Sedi did not have the ….. to call out the OAS but COLA did – I wonder if you have any ????

Green Peace and Sea Shepherd would love to hire Mr. Brackett to represent them in this region because he has the ………. fortitude you, Sedi, and the rest don’t have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!